Name: Nathan John Terry or “Nate”

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  My first memories are from Martinez California in the Bay Area, but I’d say I grew up making movies, playing with fire, drumming and making art in South Charlotte compliments of the Bank of America corporation (my Dad’s job was the reason for the move). After college at UNCG (drawing and printmaking) I moved to Berlin Germany for three years, got back home to Charlotte and found it boring. So I up and moved to Durham in 2020 (perfect timing) and found out about Carrboro because of the Wednesday night Fleet Feet run club - which I would later take over and transform into Steel String Run Club.

Why do you run?  To grow. If I had to pick one answer it would be that, but since I’m much more of a long winded individual: I run for the people, for the challenge, for the lessons and because of how it makes me feel. I’ve shared so many amazing experiences and made friends running and I’m grateful for the people who have invited me to get deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  I was working for Fleet Feet and simply scouting out the compete-tish - just kidding. I mean I started coming just because the run always started with a monster hill (in the Craftboro days) and who wouldn’t love that?

OK serious answer now: I had maybe been to CRC once or twice before, but didn’t have super clear memories of it until one crisp spring day in which the colors were vivid, the air was clear and it was just perfect balance of running/body temperature. I just remember having such a great experience as a runner, making new friends of course, having some stimulating conversation en route and when I got back, after flying down the final hill, I realized there was a brilliant woman behind it all to thank-  Steph. I am not kidding when I say that she is my inspiration as a genuine and down to earth individual who has a huge heart for runners and sets the tone for an amazing atmosphere which I have always tried to emulate. Steph’s attitude and realness make me feel like we’re all just a bunch of kids meeting up at the tree fort  going on an adventure, and for that we are all indebted.

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Gorsh, there have been so many good ones; last year I was in New York the weekend of the NY marathon. The Saturday before the race I just went on a little adventure running through central park and getting lost amongst the sunshine. It was one of those days in which no one could be sad or mad or anything but grateful to be alive and the park was bustling with soon to be marathoners shaking out before showtime. I didn’t look at my watch all day, stopped for bagels and pastries and just ran around to the sounds of hot jazz bands cook’n in the warmth of yellow autumn leaves. It was just so good and free. I ran 8 miles that day. The other good one was when I crashed the Berlin marathon in 2024 for the last little bit of the course - more runners than I’ve ever seen and seas of slippery blue disposable cups. After my run I got more sweaty high fives than ever before from finishers on the final stretch and almost lost my voice cheering.

Worst one, hmm I’ve been attacked by a pack of dogs, bit by a snake and I’m sure I’ve had a major chafing meltdown my subconscious has successfully suppressed. I’ll just go with the pack of dogs, they were actually off leash and in some sort of behavior reformation camp thing. I thought at first they were just jumping up at me for fun and then CHOMP one of em got me on the rip cage (fellas, run shirtless, no matter what - always.. or not). I turned to sprint away and slipped on the pine straw. The moment I saw those dogs coming for me as I was down ranks among the scariest in my life. Thankfully I used my most powerful weapon I had - my voice and cursed those hounds of hades back to the motherland and made an escape. They still had the last laugh as I had to foot my share of a $25,000 bill for rabies shots (ya win some, ya lose some). 

My weirdest run must have been when I was heading down a long dark highway in the wee hours of the morning by myself in Appalachia. I was taking part in the Blue Ridge Relay and there was just something spooky about the night. I came upon a stretch which was very wide open, country houses with giant lawns and long driveways. From a distance I caught the dim silhouette of a nativity scene which I thought was odd (it being September, but hey Lobby’s gonna Hobby, am I right?). As I got closer the figures looked a little bit strange and it wasn't clear until I was right next to it that this was a nativity scene consisting of skeletons. Very day of the dead and quite spooky. 

Describe the most recent (appropriate ☺) photo you took with your phone:  ALL OF MY PHOTOS ON MY PHONE APPROPRIATE IBYP! (I beg your pardon!) hmm looks like a bunch of runners, outside, in beautiful weather, hmm what’s this? It looks like they’re eating frozen custard in the bright saturation of a late July evening. P.S. in case you missed it, NOW is when your FOMO should be initiated for missing a once in a lifetime opportunity like the Dairy Dash (see ya next year).

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I’ve thought about this a lot and feel pretty confident that it would be to sing. And yeah you might say “well heck Nate you sing already” and I know I can sing, but I mean like make ‘em weep at the national anthem level of singing, like so good I could just quit my job and pay for everything singing, I’m talkin change your life level of amazingness. (btw it’s actually not my dream to be a singer but I just want the superpower).

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you?  I’m not sure if this is the best, but it’s one that’s always stuck with me: I did a summer art program in New York after getting my BFA and it consisted of interning for an artist and having studio visits with other artists for Q&A. I would read up on the artists ahead of time and feel like I had to get the most out of each visit and wanted people to be impressed with my questions. One day I was meeting with the director of the program and he told me in true NYC fashion that I should “shut up and leave space for others” and it kind of knocked the air out of me at the time, but I’m still grateful because he was honest with me and it did me well to think about balancing how much I add to any conversation and listen more.

What is something you want people to know about you? OR What is something most people don’t know about you?  Hmm I guess just my wacky portfolio of interests and hobbies so that you we can chat when we next meet, here it goes: Music, Dance, Painting, Drawing, German, Pottery (thats new), Poetry, drumming, films film/making, writing, ultra running, philosophy/theology, history (especially art history) and a bunch I’m sure I’ve forgotten about. Also people should know that homeschooling their child K-12 is may result in an endlessly curious person like myself - you’ve been warned!

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  I have been writing about running, more specifically how I came to running and my journey over the last ten years or so for 15 weeks straight. Every week I just put it at the bottom of the Steel String Run Club email in case anybody wants to check it out. I’m proud of it because it has been a tangible way of getting my ideas and stories out into the world because sometimes I forget that I’m the only one who knows them. As a perfectionist it has been great to have a deadline and I can’t believe I’ve already written so much. You can also check the writings out at my substack: https://natewontstop.substack.com/

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in Denver, CO. I then lived in Boulder, CO for six years and then NYC for another six years, most of which in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. I moved to Chapel Hill in August 2023 to begin as an Assistant Professor in the School of Information and Library Science.

Why do you run?  I have been a student for a long time, so I ran because it was an inexpensive way to stay fit. Initially, I
stole my brother’s high school cross-country gear – he turned to climbing and stopped running in college – and bought a pair of ugly, discount Nikes at Nordstrom Rack. Those lasted me a couple years until I ripped through the soles. It was a huge deal when my parents took me to Boulder Running Company to get fitted and bought me a pair of the previous year’s Brooks Ghosts. I think once I get tenure, I’ll start buying the new models of Brooks. While I started running because I was cheap, now I couldn’t imagine my life without it. Victories in academia are few and far between, and I learned you can’t define your entire identity on your grants, publications, and student evaluations. Running, in contrast, is a space where I feel in control.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  I first ran with Carrboro Run Club three days after I moved to Chapel Hill! I moved here alone without knowing anyone and thought it would be a good way to connect with people. I’ve only run with Carrboro Run Club for about a month, but I hope for many more good years ahead.

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Nothing too weird has happened to me… One time at night

I ran into a bat. Another time I was running up the Great Hill in Central Park and a tourist started jogging after me to ask for the US’s country code is. (It’s +1). Actually, on two separate occasions, strangers on that hill have called me a “grasshopper” I think because I have a bouncy step?

What is something you want people to know about you?  My favorite genre of music is emo. Hit me up if you are planning to see The Hotelier and Foxing at Cat’s Cradle in February – that tour’s a big deal!

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  I completed a PhD in Music Technology from NYU!

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in Boston and went to grad school at Duke where I met my wife and fellow pub-runner Christianna Williams. After working and living in California and Connecticut we were very happy to move and take a faculty position at UNC.

Why do you run? It started as a social activity, but in my old age it has become a great way to manage stress and keep my blood pressure down (I teach pharmacology at UNC but my hope is to avoid pharmacology at home!). It is also about maintaining mobility - my own personal marathon is to be able to run for another 26.2 years.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  It’s a perfect social activity for people like me who are not naturally social.

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Arriving to register for the Kiawah Island half marathon and watching other runners driving around looking for the closest possible parking spot.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  Be fluent in other languages. It is the best way to appreciate how others experience the world.

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Pizza.

What is something you want people to know about you?  I can’t eat pizza.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  To the best of my ability, cared for my students during COVID.

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, went to grad school at Duke (and met my husband) in the mid-eighties, and after
moving around for fifteen years had the opportunity to come back to NC (this time UNC!) in 2001 and have been here since then.

Why do you run?  I started running in college because it was the most time-efficient way to get exercise. I continue to do it because all of my closest friends are runners, and running for me now is a
time-efficient way to stay in touch with busy friends and get exercise.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  I think I first started coming in 2018, when I was looking to find more group running opportunities that were not early in the morning. What has kept me coming back is friends, Steph, and Craftboro (including but not only the beer)!

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  I think my best running moment was being runner #12 (finisher) in the Blue Ridge Relay in 2009. Completing something so challenging as part of a team of some of my very dearest friends was an incredible high.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I’ve always wanted to be able to fly – without a plane or any other equipment – so, perhaps I mean running without having to touch the ground.

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  It’s a toss-up between popcorn and pimento cheese sandwiches (with homemade pimento cheese, of course!)

What is something you want people to know about you?  I love to bake.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  Retire way earlier than anyone expected me to (or than I probably should have).

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in Oklahoma then decided to escape by joining the Air Force. That brought me to NC in the early 90’s and has been my home since. 

Why do you run?  Running burns the calories making room for another beer (or two) and cookies. Plus, it helps with my mental and physical health.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  Because Steph and the run club members are amazing and generous with their support for our community and Craftboro Brewing Depot. I’ve been a member of the Carrboro Run Club for almost 3 years and keep coming back because I’m kinda trapped 😊 Seriously, the friendships and the fun keep me coming back for more.  

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Running on trails are some of my best running moments. It’s quiet, peaceful and meditative. This said, the weirdest moment had to be trail running and seeing someone with what-may-have-been an assault rifle hiking the same trail. I have to say I probably hit some PR’s that day.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I would travel the world and ride bikes. Mostly trail bikes with the occasional road/gravel ride thrown in for fun. 

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Nachos in their various forms.

What is something you want people to know about you?  I don’t really know what I’m doing but doing my best to learn and sort it out.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  Wake up, get out of bed and leave the house!

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  From the Northeast, NY, NH, then VT, but I’ve lived in this area for 28 years. I came for a job at UNC.

Why do you run?  It started for me as just a way to exercise, but now it’s mostly about being social. I also love to run in the woods, even if I have to go by myself.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  Christianna and Henrik already went to CRC, so we decided to try it. We come back because lots of friends do, Steph’s enthusiasm, and we also love Craftboro.

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Most embarrassing? Once on a long run “in the country” with Amy I turned and looked down a driveway and saw a big dog. Even though it was quite far away and turned out to be just a statue, I screamed really loudly.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I’d love to be better at playing the piano, without practicing, of course, because who has time for that?

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Vegetarian sushi rolls.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  Ed and I hiked to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon last summer. It was amazing.

Where are you from?  I grew up in Jamestown, NY, which is about 1.5 hours south of Buffalo (go Bills!).  I completed my undergrad at Ohio Northern University in the rural village of Ada, OH - home to 2 stoplights, cornfields in every direction, and oddly enough, the only Wilson Football factory in the country.

How long have you lived in the area and why did you move here?  I moved here 9 months ago to start dental school at UNC. I have no prior connections to the area, but UNC was my dream school (not to mention NC seemed like a pretty great place to live) and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be here.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you?  Supportive, conscientious, and persevering.

Why do you run?  To challenge myself, get fresh air, and explore new places.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run?  To find new running routes in town and get involved outside of school. Huge shoutout to Steph for all the hard work she does to keep SPR so fun and exciting!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run?  My favorite part is the people. I didn’t know anyone in the state of NC when I first moved here last summer; I’m really thankful for the friendships I’ve made and the intellectually stimulating conversations that I get to look forward to each week. One of the best things about SPR is how it brings together people from all different careers and stages of life.

Describe the most recent (appropriate) photo you took with your phone:  A scenic shot of Raleigh Street from my most recent bike ride.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you?  My middle school gym teacher once told me: “Everything you do in life, do your best.” Whether that’s working on your career, studying, being there for a friend, or even as simple as waking up in the morning and brushing your teeth for that full 2 minutes; if you’re not giving it your 100% effort, what’s the point?

Favorite book? How about a book you think everyone must read? (They can be different.)  It’s a tie between Life of Pi and Jurassic Park. [Side note: I went through a phase as a child where I would only read books about animals. I like to think that my interests have since diversified, but considering my favorites involve dinosaurs and a tiger… I guess old habits die hard.]

What is your most primary mode of transportation currently? (I like to think all the Pub Runners are smart commuters.)  Currently streaming classes online thanks to COVID-19. No transportation required.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  To be ambidextrous. This would do wonders for my career as a dentist.

If you could eat only one meal (not just a single food) for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Avocado toast with all the good toppings (egg, tomato, scallions, and Trader Joe’s EBTB seasoning).

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?  I’ve got nothing. I will try anything once, so if you see me at SPR, come give me your suggestions!

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know:  I have been training and showing dogs at American Kennel Club (AKC) dog shows since I was 9 years old. I was a nationally ranked junior handler for multiple years, and have qualified and competed at the Westminster dog show in NYC (that’s the one on TV) three times with my Australian Shepherds.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  This coming June, I will be competing at the AKC Rally/Obedience National Championship in Ohio with my dog, Smokin. I was so excited to qualify last year before moving here for dental school.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan:  “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be bent out of shape.”